The Absence of Light

Part 5

We were back on the old park bench again; each of us sitting exactly where we’d been sitting before. I didn’t know what time it was, but it looked like the noon of night-time; the moon was higher and brighter than it had been all night, and the darkness was richer and deeper. “Dolly,” I said suddenly, “Did you ever call your mom again?” “No,” Dolly sighed, “I mean I sent her a few emails letting her know that I’m still alive. But I don’t know, I don’t think I can ever talk to her ever again.” “Well, I think that’s your step 2 Dolly; talking to your mom.” “It’s not that easy, Holden.” “It’s not that hard either.” She turned to face me, her eyes were brimming with tears; “What am I going to say to her Holden?” “You’ll tell her that it’s her long-lost daughter calling,” said my sister, “and the conversation will just flow from there.”